An eight-month-old party champions tribal rights and secures a historic seat in Parliament. Discover the rise of the Bharat Adivasi Party and its leader, Rajkumar Roat.
Story : Anjali Soni
Editor : Sushma Tomar
In a remarkable journey that began on September 10, 2023, the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) emerged as a powerful advocate for the marginalized tribal communities of Rajasthan. Under the leadership of Rajkumar Roat, The BAP’s agenda focuses on addressing the socio-economic challenges and systemic marginalization faced by the tribal (Adivasi) communities in Rajasthan. The formation of the party itself was a response to the perceived neglect and lack of adequate representation for these communities by mainstream political parties.
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This grassroots support propelled the party to national recognition, culminating in a historic victory when Roat was elected as a Member of Parliament, securing a place for BAP in the national political arena. BAP’s rapid rise to prominence within just eight months can be attributed to its focused agenda and unwavering dedication to the tribal and marginalized communities. The party’s core agenda includes advocating for the creation of a new state, Bhil Pradesh, to provide a distinct identity and better administration for Bhil tribal populations across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
The call for the creation of ‘Bhil Pradesh’ highlights the desire for a separate administrative region that recognizes the unique cultural and social needs of the Bhil tribal population. BAP has also been instrumental in addressing critical issues such as securing land rights, protecting forest and water resources, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Through grassroots engagement, cultural revival initiatives, and strategic alliances, BAP has fostered a sense of unity and pride among the tribal people, translating this support into a significant political movement. Their efforts have not only highlighted the long-standing neglect by mainstream parties but have also provided a platform for tribal voices to be heard and represented effectively.
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The victory of the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) in Banswara in the 2024 Lok Sabha election is poised to transform the political landscape in the tribal-dominated region of southern Rajasthan.
With tribal identity, the formation of a ‘Bhil Pradesh,’ and an increase in reservation for Scheduled Tribes coming to the forefront, the BAP has shifted the focus to crucial issues affecting the tribal communities. Rajkumar Roat, the BAP candidate, secured a landslide victory in the reserved seat with a margin of 2,47,054 votes. At just 31 years old, Rajkumar Roat, belonging to the Bhil tribal community, triumphed over veteran tribal leader and former Minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, a Congress turncoat fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Banswara-Dungarpur Lok Sabha constituency, traditionally a Congress stronghold, now witnesses a new affirmation of tribal rights.
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Roat, a two-time MLA from Chorasi, was instrumental in forming the BAP last year, ahead of the State Assembly election, as a splinter group from the Gujarat-based Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP). While the BTP had won two seats in the 2018 Assembly election, the BAP emerged victorious on three seats in 2023. Rajkumar Roat(Member of Parliament) is well-known for his strong advocacy of tribal rights within the Tribal Sub-Plan area and for reservation policies benefiting tribal communities. His victory margin of 69,166 votes in the Chorasi Assembly seat was one of the five largest in the State in the 2023 election.
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He followed this success with an even more significant margin in the Lok Sabha election At a felicitation program in Banswara, Roat emphasized his commitment to creating employment opportunities for tribal youth to prevent their migration to neighboring Gujarat. He also highlighted the critical issue of malnutrition among tribal children and pledged to advance the long-standing demand for the formation of Bhil Pradesh, a separate state carved out of 39 districts across four states. Rajkumar Roat’s electoral success underscores the tribal community’s frustration with existing political structures and their quest for greater autonomy and representation. His advocacy for increased reservations for Scheduled Tribes and better implementation of the Tribal Sub-Plan area policies directly addresses issues of caste and tribal disenfranchisement.
*दलित टाइम्स उन करोड़ो लोगो की आवाज़ है जिन्हें हाशिए पर रखा गया है। *
महिला, दलित और आदिवासियों के मुद्दों पर केंद्रित पत्रकारिता करने और मुख्यधारा की मीडिया में इनका प्रतिनिधित्व करने के लिए हमें आर्थिक सहयोग करें।
